Washing machine

ABSTRACT

A washing machine prevents a user from getting burned. The washing machine includes a housing; a tub, installed in the housing, for preliminarily storing washing water and heating the stored washing water; a drum, rotatably installed in the tub, for receiving laundry; and a door, installed at the housing, for opening and closing the drum, wherein the door informs a user of the temperature of the door to protect the user from getting burned.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. P2004-012592, filed on Feb. 25, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a door of a washing machine.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally speaking, a washing machine performs washing, rinsing, and dewatering so as to separate dirt from laundry by an interaction of detergent and water. In such a washing machine, a drum accommodating the laundry is disposed inside a tub containing washing water, and the laundry is washed while the drum rotates inside the tub. The washing machine may further include a heating function for washing the laundry in a hot washing water and a drying function for drying the laundry.

First, for the heating function, a heater is installed in the tub of the washing machine. The laundry is substantially heated by the washing water heated by the heater and is effectively washed. Also, for the drying function, the washing machine includes a circulation passage and circulating fan for circulating the air in the tub and the drum and a heater for heating the thus circulated air. Accordingly, the air inside the tub and drum is heated while passing through the circulation passage and is resupplied to the drum.

When hot washing water is used or hot air is supplied, the drum and tub, the air in the drum and tub, and the laundry are heated to a high temperature, and the door, which is in direct contact with air and the laundry, is also heated to a high temperature. A user may come into contact with the high temperature door and get burned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can prevent a user from getting burned.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a washing machine including a housing; a tub, installed in the housing, for preliminarily storing washing water and heating the stored washing water; a drum, rotatably installed in the tub, for receiving laundry; and a door, installed at the housing, for opening and closing the drum, wherein the door informs a user of the temperature of the door to protect the user from getting burned.

The door informs a user that the temperature thereof is above a predetermined temperature, and the predetermined temperature is one capable of causing burns, for example, above 50° C. Also, the door may inform the user that the temperature thereof is gradually changed. Preferably, the door displays the temperature thereof, directly.

The door comprises at least one display material for displaying temperatures. Preferably, the door comprises a transparent compartment, which is formed of a display material for displaying the temperature.

The door has a color varied at a predetermined temperature so as to inform that the temperature thereof is above a predetermined temperature. Preferably, the color of the door is changed to red at the predetermined temperature.

The door displays character information so as to inform that the temperature thereof is above a predetermined temperature.

Also, the door is formed of a plurality of display materials so as to display different temperatures and may display different colors at different temperatures to indicate a gradual change in temperature.

Alternatively, the door is formed of a display material for displaying a predetermined temperature and comprises a display layer partially coated thereon. Also, the door is formed of a display material for displaying a predetermined temperature and has a display label attached on the door. The display label is detachable on the door and is formed of a heat-resistant film, and the display material is encapsulated in the film.

According to the aforementioned washing machine of the present invention, users can be warned of the temperature of the door and thus avoid getting burned.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a washing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to a modified example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate a washing machine according to the present invention. The washing machine as shown is a front-loading type and is similar to the top-loading type washing machine, except for the orientation of a tub 22 and a drum 30. Hence, for the simple description, although the present description will be made to a front-loading type washing machine, it will be apparent that the present invention can be also employed in a top-loading type washing machine.

In the washing machine shown FIGS. 1 and 2, a housing 2 includes a base panel 4, side and rear panels disposed uprightly on the base panel 4, a top panel 8 installed on upper ends of the side and rear panels 6, and a front panel 10 disposed at a front side of the side panels 6. A control panel is installed at an upper portion of the housing 2. A user instructs operations of the washing machine using the control panel 21 and controls functions of the washing machine. The front panel 10 has an inlet 9 for loading or unloading laundry, and a door 12 rotatably coupled with a hinge 14, for opening and closing the inlet 9. Since the inlet 9 communicates with a drum 30, to be described later, the door 12 substantially opens and closes the drum 30.

As shown in the drawings, the door 12 includes a frame 16 and a transparent part 18 installed in the frame 16. The frame is also provided with the hinge 14, a locking mechanism 15, and a knob 17 such that a user can open or close the door 12. The transparent part 18 is formed of a transparent plastic or glass so that a user may view the laundry inside the washing machine. A periphery of the transparent part 18 is fixed to the door frame 16, and a central portion is protruded toward the inside of the washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tub 22 preliminarily storing washing water is elastically supported by a spring 23 a and a damper 23 b and is disposed inside the housing 2. The tub 22 has an opening 24 formed at a front central portion, and the opening 24 also communicates with the inlet 9 of the housing 2. Also, a gasket 48 is disposed between the inlet 9 and the opening 24 so as to prevent leakage of washing water. A water feeder unit 25 for feeding washing water and detergent is connected to an upper portion of the tub 22, and a drain unit 26 for draining washing water is connected to a lower portion of the tub 22. The tub 22 is provided with a heater 28 for heating washing water, and the heater 28 is provided with an exothermic member, which generates heat when a current is applied.

The drum 30 accommodates and washes laundry and is rotatably installed in the tub 22. The drum 30 has an opening 32 formed at a front central portion thereof, for loading and unloading the laundry m. The opening 32 also communicates with the inlet 9 of the housing 2. Also, the drum has a plurality of perforation holes 34 formed at a circumference thereof, for being supplied with washing water from the tub 22, and a plurality of lifters 36 for lifting the laundry so as to drop the laundry from a predetermined height. A motor 40 is installed at a rear side of the tub 22 so as to support and at the same time rotate the drum 30. The motor 50 is connected with a driving shaft 42, and the driving shaft 42 is connected to the drum 20 through a hole formed at the rear portion of the tub 22.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to a modified example of the present invention. The washing machine of FIG. 4 further includes a drying unit for drying laundry. Here, the housing 2, door 12, tub 22, drum 30, motor 40, and the like are the same as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.

The drying unit is designed to supply hot air to an interior of the drum 30. In more detail, the drying unit includes a drying duct 66 communicating with the drum 30 and tub 22 and with the heater 62 and fan 64 installed in the drying duct 66. The heater 62 heats air inside the drying duct 66, and the fan 64 circulates the air inside the drum 30 such that the heated air is continuously supplied to the interior of the drum 30.

Also, the air is saturated due to moisture of laundry during its circulation, so that a proper drying of the laundry may not be performed. Hence, the washing machine of the present invention further includes a condensing unit 70 to remove moisture from circulation air for drying the laundry. The condensing unit 70 a condensing duct 72 connected with the tub 22 and the drying duct 66, respectively, and a nozzle 74 installed inside the condensing duct 72. The nozzle 74 causes cooling water to flow along an inner surface of the condensing duct 72, whereby moisture of air that passes through the condensing duct 72 is condensed. Accordingly, the air in the drum 30 is dried while passing through the condensing duct 72, is then heated in the drying duct 66, and is resupplied to the drum for effective drying of the laundry.

As aforementioned, when the washing machine uses hot washing water or hot air for washing/drying the laundry, the door 12 is heated to a high temperature along with the drum 30, the tub 22, interior air of the drum 30 and tub 22, and the laundry. To this end, the user may get burned due to the high temperature door 12. Accordingly, in the present invention, the door 12 informs the user of its temperature to prevent the user from getting burned.

Basically, the door 12 can inform the user of the temperature thereof using an external device. For example, the door 12 may have a temperature sensor coupled thereto, for measuring the temperature, and a display element connected with the temperature sensor. The display element may be a buzzer for generating an alarm or an LED emitting light when the sensor temperature is above a preset temperature. Also, a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying a varied temperature of the door 12 can be used as the display element such that the user can continuously confirm the temperature of the door 12.

It is preferable, however, that the door directly display the temperature of the door 12 such that the user can easily and positively confirm the temperature of the door 12. To directly display the temperature of the door 12, the door 12 is fabricated to contain a display material capable of at least displaying a temperature. In order to prevent the user from getting burned, the user must be informed when the temperature of the door 12 exceeds a predetermined temperature. In relation to such a basic condition, since a display material that varies in color based on temperature is well known in the art, a door containing such a display material can, through a change in color, inform the user that its temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Also, since the door 12 has, through a heat exchange process occurring during the operation of the washing machine, a temperature nearly equal that of the interior of the drum 30, the door 12 can, through color variation, indirectly inform the user of the temperature of the drum's interior. It is advantageous in calling a user's attention that the color of the door 12 becomes red when its temperature reaches a predetermined temperature. Instead of an overall color variation, the door 12 may display a character (symbol or alphanumeric) capable of calling a user's attention, by varying the color of a specific part or parts of the door 12. Such a partial display of the door 12 can be achieved by a door made of a display material in the form of the character. Also, the predetermined temperature display by the door 12 may be set lower than a temperature capable of causing burns, so as to provide the user with a degree of forewarning. To provide a more direct attention to the user, however, it is preferable that the predetermined temperature is set to a temperature capable of causing burns, for example, to 50° C. Also, it is preferable that the transparent part 18 be made of the display material such that the user can more easily perceive the presence of the predetermined temperature.

Also, the door 12 may be made containing a plurality of display materials capable of displaying different temperatures so that the door 12 may display different colors at different temperatures. Accordingly, the door can inform the user that the temperature of the door 12 rises or falls, whereby the user can positively confirm the temperature of the door 12.

Alternatively, to more effectively inform the user of the temperature of the door 12, it is preferable that the door 12 display the temperature using only a portion of the door. Accordingly, the door 12 may have a display layer or a display label 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The display layer 100 is made of the display material by coating the display material on the door 12. Similarly, the display label 100 is made of the display material and is attached on the door 12. The display layer or the display label 100 may be formed of a single display material as aforementioned so as to inform the user that the door 12 has a specific high temperature above a predetermined temperature. Alternatively, the display layer or the display label 100 may be formed of a plurality of display materials to inform the user that the temperature of the door 12 rises or falls. In addition, the display layer or the display label 100 has the same characteristics as all the characteristics of the door 12 made of the display material aforementioned. In the meanwhile, the display layer is permanently attached on the door 12, whereas the display label 100 is detachably attached on the door 12. In other words, the display label 100 has an adhesive formed on a rear surface thereof. Hence, should the temperature display function of the display label 100 deteriorate, the display label 100 can be easily exchanged with a new one. More preferably, the display label 100 is composed of a heat-resistant film, with a temperature display material being encapsulated in the film. Accordingly, the display label 100 can operate stably without any variation under a high temperature environment due to the door 12.

Operation of the aforementioned washing machine will now be described.

First, when a user loads laundry m in the drum 30, closes the door 12, and starts an operation of the washing machine, the water feeding unit 25 supplies washing water w including detergent to the tub 22. The washing water w is received at a lower side of the tub 22 and is introduced into the drum 30 through the perforation holes 34 of the drum 30 to soak the laundry m.

Thereafter, as the motor 40 operates and thereby the drum rotates, the lifters 36 of the drum 30 lift the laundry m and then the lifted laundry m drops from a predetermined height. By repeating the above procedures, the laundry m is washed by mechanical friction and chemical interaction of detergent. The heater 28 heats the washing water contained in the tub 22 to a temperature of 30-50° C. so that the laundry m is more effectively washed by the heated washing water w. During the above washing operation, the door 12 is in contact with the high temperature washing water, vapor, and laundry and is heated, and the door 12 itself or the display label 100 attached to the door or the display layer formed on the door is changed to a different color, for example, red, when the temperature of the door 12 exceeds a predetermined temperature. The change in the color allows the user to know that the door 12 is in a high temperature state, thereby preventing the user from getting burned.

After the aforementioned washing operation is performed for a predetermined time, the heater 28 and the motor 40 are turned off, and the drain unit 26 drains the washing water used in the tub 22. Accordingly, the temperature of the door 12 drops below a predetermined temperature, and the colors of the door 12, the display layer, or the display label 100 return to the original color, i.e., colorlessness.

Continuously, the washing machine performs a rinsing operation for removing detergent and contaminants remaining in the laundry m. During the rinsing operation, the water feeding unit 25 supplies clean washing water w to the tub 22, and the clean washing water w is received in the lower portion of the tub 22 and is then introduced into the drum 30 through the perforation holes 34 of the drum 30 to soak the laundry m. Then, as the drum 30 is rotated by the motor 40, the laundry m is tumbled by the lifters 36 of the drum 30 and is thus rinsed. During the above rinsing operation, the heater 28 heats the washing water for more effective rinsing, and the door 12, the display layer, or the display label 100 changes its color to inform the user, through the color change, that the temperature of the door 12 has exceeded the predetermined temperature.

After the aforementioned rinsing operation is performed for a predetermined time, the heater 28 and the motor 40 are both turned off, and the drain unit 26 drains the washing water used in the tub 22. Accordingly, the temperature of the door 12 drops below a predetermined temperature, and the colors of the door 12, the display layer, or the display label 100 return to the original color, i.e., colorlessness. Thereafter, a dewatering operation is performed for dewatering the laundry m by rotating the drum 30 at high speed.

After the dewatering operation, the user can know the temperature of the door 12 by confirming the colors of the door 12, the display layer, or the display label 100. Accordingly, if there is no change in the color of the door 12, the user grasps the knob of the door 12, opens the door 12, and unloads the laundry safely.

In the meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, where the washing machine further includes the drying unit, after the dewatering operation, a drying operation for drying the laundry m using hot air is performed. During the drying operation, the heater 62 and the fan 64 operate and cooling water is supplied to the inside of the condensing duct 72. As the drum 30 rotates, moisture contained in the air inside the tub 22 is condensed by the cooling water while the air passes through the condensing duct and the air is heated by the heater 62 while passing through the drying duct 66. The heated air is supplied to the interior of the tub 22 and the drum 30 to dry the laundry m received in the drum 30. The air used in drying the laundry m circulates via the condensing duct 74, the drying duct 66, the drum 30, and the tub 22 to repeat the aforementioned operations, thereby continuously drying the laundry m. During the above drying operation, the door 12 is heated by high temperature air, and the door 12, the display layer, or the display label 100 changes its color to inform the user, through a color change, that the temperature of the door 12 has exceeded the predetermined temperature, to thereby prevent the user from getting burned.

After the drying operation, the user can know the temperature of the door 12 by confirming the colors of the door 12, the display layer or the display label 100. Accordingly, if the color of the door 12 is restored to the original color, the user grasps the knob of the door 12, opens the door 12, and unloads the laundry safely.

As described above, in the present invention, the door can inform the user of its temperature using a display material, thereby substantially preventing the user from getting burned. Accordingly, safety and reliability are enhanced.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A washing machine comprising: a housing; a tub, installed in the housing, for preliminarily storing washing water and heating the stored washing water; a drum, rotatably installed in the tub, for receiving laundry; and a door, installed at the housing, for opening and closing the drum, wherein the door informs a user of the temperature of the door to protect the user from getting burned.
 2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door further informs the user of an inner temperature of the drum, indirectly.
 3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door indicates that the temperature of the door exceeds a predetermined temperature.
 4. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature is one that would burn the user.
 5. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door indicates a gradual change in the temperature of the door.
 6. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door displays the temperature of the door, directly.
 7. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door comprises at least one display material for displaying temperature.
 8. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door comprises a transparent part, formed of a display material for displaying the temperature of the door, for permitting the user to view an interior of the drum.
 9. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door has a portion that varies in color at a predetermined temperature, to indicate that the temperature of the door has exceeded the predetermined temperature.
 10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the color of the portion of the door changes to red at the predetermined temperature.
 11. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door displays character information to indicate that the temperature of the door exceeds a predetermined temperature.
 12. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the predetermined temperature is 50° C.
 13. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door is formed of a plurality of display materials, each for displaying a different temperature.
 14. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door exhibits a plurality of colors, each for displaying a different temperature, to indicate a gradual change in the temperature of the door.
 15. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door is formed of a display material for displaying a predetermined temperature and comprises a display layer partially covering the door.
 16. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the door is formed of a display material for displaying a predetermined temperature and comprises a display label attached to the door.
 17. The washing machine of claim 16, wherein the display label is detachable from the door.
 18. The washing machine of claim 16, wherein the display label is formed of a heat-resistant film and the display material is encapsulated in the heat-resistant film.
 19. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the tub comprises a heater for heating the stored washing water.
 20. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a drying unit for supplying heated air to dry laundry. 